Austria Tells Jewish Political Prisoner He Must Be Registered

Stephan Templs first week in an Austrian prison has already served to illustrate the arbitrary natureof the persecution he is facing from the government.

Templ reported to correctional facility on October 5th, where is currently serving a 1-year sentence forthe most absurd crime of having failed to disclose all heirs on a restitution claim for Nazi-lootedproperty a judicial decision which has scandalized observers and sent a chilling signal to the Jewishcommunity in this region.

But the outrage didnt stop with this conviction now the prison authorities are refusing to serve himthe kosher option for food at mealtimes, claiming that he is not a registered member of the VienneseJewish Community, and therefore, in their eyes, he is not a Jew.

Never mind the fact that Stephan is not a resident of Vienna but lives in Prague, and so would not beeligible for membership with the Viennese community anyway, this is a completely improper abuse ofthe States power over its detained citizens. That the State wants Jewish citizens to register theirstatus with the Jewish Community so that the State will recognize their religion is an outrage.

As soon as Stephans partner Tina learned of the prisons denial of kosher food to Stephan, sheimmediately appealed to the Jewish community in Vienna. The local community Rabbi immediatelysent a letter to the prison confirming that Stephan is a Jew.

The State has no right to decide who is and who is not a Jew, and this denial represents a violation ofhis religious rights. Since 1890, and recently re-confirmed in the Israelitengesetz of 2012, theAustrian state is forbidden from interfering in intra-Jewish affairs. It is for Jews to decide who is aJew through the application of the Jewish laws, the Halacha.

The Viennese Jewish Community say that this is not an isolated occurrence of anti-religiousdiscrimination, but that the Austrian prison authority regularly serve a pork-only option, leavingMuslims with little choice but to appeal to the Jewish community for kosher food a recommendationthat is freely and immediately given. Do Muslims not deserve a halal option in Austrian prisons?

It is to be wondered whether Catholics baptized in Ireland are still considered Catholics in Austria, orwhether they too must register with the State? Do foreign Jews not count as Jewish when they are inAustria?

Austria has done much in this case that beggars belief, but surely forcing Jews to register with theState is beyond the pale?